Abstract
Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris) juice (RBJ) is used as a traditional medicine for treatment of anemia. It has been shown that beetroot juice decreases blood pressure, provides a protective effect on blood vessels and has antioxidant and anticancerogenic properties. In the case of polytrauma it might have beneficial effects because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as antimicrobial activity. It is also well-known that RBR juice can induce undesirable side effects, e.g. flatulent stomach, nausea and other unpleasant reactions. Therefore, it seems prospective to develop red beetroot juice based on its natural compound composition free of undesirable side effects, which could then be used in combination with bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM MMSC) transplantation in the case of polytrauma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of allogeneic BM MMSC transplantation in rats with experimental polytrauma and to analyse red beetroot fractions separated on the basis of molecular weight in regard to their ingestion impact on cell transplantation efficacy. Red beet juice was fractionated by ultrafiltration (cut-off-point 20 kDa). Total phenolic compound concentration in the final product practically did not decrease. The product was tested in vitro and in vivo. Unlike native juice, fractionated RBJ in vitro suppressed BM MMSC adipogenic (60-71%, P < 0.05) and stimulated osteogenic differentiation (124%, P < 0.05). Experimental polytrauma in rats was modelled by causing three fractures and haemorrhagic shock. Animals were randomised in five groups: 1) normal control; 2) polytrauma; 3) polytrauma + i/v BM MMSC transplantation 36 h and 5 days after surgery; 4) polytrauma + fractionated RBJ administration per os 1ml/d, and 5) polytrauma + BM MMSCs + fractionated RBJ. Transplantation of allogeneic BM MMSCs in rats with experimental polytrauma stimulated bone fracture reparation, but caused plethora in viscera and dystrophic changes in lungs. Combination of BM MMSCs and fractionated RBJ resulted in better bone reparation and significant hematopoiesis stimulation.